Ergonomic tubular anechoic chambers for use with a communication device and related methods

ABSTRACT

Disclosed, in general, are devices that provide a substantially sound-tight chamber over a sound source while absorbing fields of sounds from the sound source. In general, the devices feature: an anechoic chamber that is configured to receive a sound source in a substantially sound-tight manner; an active noise canceling means in the anechoic chamber; and an anechoic channel that is in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 14/740,129(filed Jun. 15, 2015), which is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No.14/577,839 (filed Dec. 19, 2014), which is a continuation-in-part toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/280,523 entitled “Ergonomic tubularanechoic chambers for use with a communication device and relatedmethods” filed on May 16, 2014. Both referenced U.S. Ser. No. 14/577,839and U.S. Ser. No. 14/280,523 applications also claim the benefit andpriority of U.S. Prov. Pat. App. Ser. No. 61/949,239 (filed Mar. 7,2014) entitled “Accessory having an anechoic chamber for isolating noiseof a wind instrument.” Both referenced applications further claim thebenefit and priority of U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 61/949,234 (filed Mar.6, 2014) entitled “Tubular Anechoic Chamber for use with a communicationdevice.” Said patent applications are hereby incorporated by referencein their entirety as if fully set forth herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The subject matter of this written description is in the field ofdevices for containing, absorbing and directing noise from a soundsource while deflecting, absorbing and reflecting ambient noise. Thesubject matter of this disclosure is also in the field of systems andmethods for maintaining privacy or avoiding public disruption during useof a communication device such as a telephone, mobile phone, two-wayradio, and the like. Finally, this invention relates to an accessory forisolating, directing, containing, and absorbing of musical noise (e.g.,sounds produced by singing or by musical instrument) and moreparticularly, to sound accessories configured to removably attach to themouth or bell portion of a wind instrument for reducing noise expelledtherefrom, for example, during a practice session.

2. Background of the Invention

Mobile and fixed line communication devices (“communication devices”),such as cellular phones, two-way radios, or home phones, have becomeubiquitous. In fact, some reports show telephone use by eighty sevenpercent of the global population. The commonality of these devices hasresulted in their public use within the local vicinity of others.Conventional communication devices are not always suitable for publicuse. First, use of a conventional communication device in public oftenrequires the user to expose the private details of a communication toothers within the local vicinity. Even when a user retreats to asecluded location, the communications are subject to eavesdropping(e.g., by parabolic microphone, binoculars for lip reading, laser soundpick-up devices, and other distance eavesdropping devices). Subjectingthe details of a secret or private communication to others isparticularly concerning when such details involve matters of nationalsecurity (e.g., details concerning FBI, CIA, diplomats, fire station,police, or military matters). Second, ambient noises in public areas canfrequently disrupt a communication. For instance, ambient noise canfrequently make it difficult for the user of the communication device toreceive clear communications on the communication devices or to speakunderstandable commands to a device's computer assistant employing voicerecognizing software (e.g., SIRI® as utilized by the iPhone®). Thus, aneed exists for apparatus and related methods for maintaining theprivacy and clarity of communications over communication devices whileavoiding the disturbance of others in the vicinity.

In view of the foregoing, many have proposed apparatus for enhancingprivacy and clarity of communication devices while avoiding thedisturbance of others nearby. These proposed apparatus involve coveringthe mouth or ear with a communication device so that a chamber iscreated over the mouth or ear in an attempt to confine the communicativesounds while blocking ambient noise. For instance, U.S. Pat. No.7,564,968, US. Pub. App. No. 2011/0136535, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,197,140,8,778,062, and 7,515,708 disclose apparatus that are positioned over orin front of a mouth. Although capable of limited muffling ofcommunicative sounds produced by the user of a communication device,these devices are not capable of capturing all of the communicativesounds of a device user that would otherwise be intelligible to those inthe nearby vicinity. While some of these devices are capable of blockingsmall amounts of the direct field of communicative sounds, they arefrequently inadequate for containing the more intense reverberant fieldsof the human speech sounds, for example, the reverberant fields of amale voice can be as low as eighty Megahertz (MHz). This functionalinadequacy is the result of two factors. First, the materials (or lackthereof) employed are not capable of absorbing enough of thecommunicative sound to render the communication unintelligible toeavesdroppers. Second, the chambers are not air-tight (particularly atany interface between the apparatus and the user's face (specifically,the ear and mouth)). When a chamber and related parts of the device arenot air-tight, the direct or reverberant fields of the near-field(sounds in close proximity to the sound source) communicative sound(which is an acoustic sound wave through air) can leak out from thechamber before being totally absorbed by the chamber walls. Even whensuch apparatus initially form a seal around the mouth of a user, theseseals can be upset by either (1) the sound air pressure or acousticparticle velocity of the communicative sound's near field sound energy(which are much more extreme than direct or reverberant fields) or (2)misalignment of the mouth and chamber near the upper and lower lips(i.e., the menton-subnasale length, bitragoin-subnasale arc area, andbitragoin-menton arc area) during movements of a user's face duringnormal speech. Misalignment along the menton-subnasale length,bitragoin-subnasale arc area, and bitragoin-menton arc area isparticularly problematic when an apparatus must simultaneously providemouth and ear coverings during use because these devices allow the earcoverings to operate despite misalignment along the menton-subnasalelength area, bitragoin-subnasale arc area, or bitragoin-menton arcduring movements of a user's face whereby a user may not even realizethat sound from a private communication is being released. Even theslightest release of sound can be concerning during extremely sensitivecommunications over a communication device, for instance, duringdoctor-patient communications, lawyer-client communications,stockbroker-investor communications, interfamily communications, orcommunications involving national security. Furthermore, these devicesare not substantially available for blocking ambient noise and thusclarity of communication using these devices can be compromised.

Other apparatus for enhancing privacy or clarity of communicationinvolve a user facemask for creating a chamber over the mouth of a user.See, e.g., US Pub. Pat. No. 2007/0127659, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,234,944,7,783,034, and CN Pat. No. 2262732. However, these types of apparatussuffer from the drawbacks mentioned above, with the additional problemof being attention calling. Frequently, participants of a privatecommunication, like national security agency members, do not wantadditional attention drawn to them by their communication device duringsensitive telephone communications. Additionally: none of these facemaskapparatus allow the user to breath freely while being used withouttaking the device away from their face; none of the prior art have acontrolled direction of airflow with sound energy to exit out the devicein a controlled manner, with the users air from speech passing across amicrophone without the intake air passing by the microphone so noacoustic interference will occur with the microphone; and none of theprior art use materials that are technically able to absorb the low basefrequencies i.e. modelling clay that does not dry out and remainsmalleable.

Musicians, like communication device users, are frequently desirous ofprivately or discretely producing sounds in public areas. For instance,opera singers or woodwind instrument players may desire to practicetheir craft in a public park without disturbing the splendor of thegeneral public. Like users of communication devices, a musician cannotalways retreat to a secluded location or even their homes because, forexample, within many neighborhoods (especially modern apartments,condominium and townhomes) people are increasingly living in closerproximity to one another. Thus a need exists for apparatus and relatedmethods for maintaining the privacy of musical sounds.

For singers, apparatus exist that are similar to those described abovein connection with communication devices. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.2,625,615, 4,396,089, and 4,932,495. These devices are essentiallyfacemasks that cover the mouth of the singer in an attempt to create asound muffling chamber over the mouth. These apparatus are particularlysusceptible to leaked sounds. As discussed above in connection withapparatus for communication privacy apparatus, such chambers either areeither (a) not capable of absorbing the near, direct, and reverberantfields of a singer's voice or (b) allow sounds to leak via misalignmentof the mouth and chamber along the mentocervical angle length,menton-subnasale length, bitragoin-subnasale arc, or bitragoin-mentonarc during movements of a user's face. Misalignment of the face contoursand mask are particularly problematic during singing since the usersfacial movements are exaggerated when compared to a person that istalking, particularly along the menton-subnasale length. Other problemsarise in that the apparatus distort the sounds made by the user so thata user cannot totally tell if the sounds produced are correct.Therefore, a need exists for apparatus and related methods formaintaining the privacy of musical sounds of singers.

For woodwind instrument players, apparatus also exists for dampening thesound of the instrument. However, these apparatus typically involveeither placing a covering around the whole instrument, or muffling thesound. These types of apparatus do not adequately address the need forapparatus that maintain the privacy of musical sounds. One reason theseare inadequate is that many woodwind instruments require a user's handsto move over and about the instrument. Encasing the instrument isproblematic because the encasing apparatus must feature holes that leaksound while providing hand-access or else restrict access to theinstrument. Muting the instrument is problematic because the musicianmust hear the noises to determine whether the instrument is being playedcorrectly. As a result, a need still exists for apparatus and relatedmethods for maintaining the privacy of musical sounds of singers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of this disclosure to describean apparatus for maintaining the privacy and clarity of communicationsover devices and sounds of musical instruments or voices. It is anotherobjective to disclose such apparatus without the drawbacks identifiedabove. Disclosed, in general, are devices that provide a substantiallyair-tight chamber over a sound source while absorbing relatively allfrequency fields of speech, singing, or instrument sounds from the soundsource. In some embodiments, active noise control or active noisecancelation means (“ANC means”) are provided to the device. Said meansinclude a sound source for the addition of sound specifically designedto cancel noise within of the anechoic chamber. In general, the devicesfeature: anechoic chambers that are configured to receive a sound sourcein an air-tight manner; ANC means for reducing unwanted sound by theaddition of a second sound within said anechoic chambers; and anechoicchannels that are in fluid communication with the ambient environment.Preferably, the anechoic channels allows air flow out of the anechoicchambers. Suitably, the anechoic chambers are adapted to capture aircontaining sound energy generated by the sound source (e.g., humanvoice), and distribute the air about internal anechoic acousticalsurface areas on the inside of the chambers, wherein the internalsurface areas are maximized and sufficiently large to dampen orotherwise absorb the sound energy. The amount of sound energy absorbedby the anechoic chambers can be reduced via the presence of an ANC means(like an antiphase/anti-noise speaker) for reducing the sound energy inthe captured air by providing the addition of a second sound to withinthe anechoic chamber. Placement of a user's face inside the sealed areaalso acts to absorb sound waves in the anechoic chamber. Preferably, thedeenergized air is directed from the near-field anechoic sound chamberthrough a tubular anechoic channel extending therefrom to the ambientatmosphere to further dampen or absorb and contain the sound energy.Once sound energy is absorbed from the anechoic chambers, the airpreferably exhausts from the apparatus substantially free of any soundenergy. This feature permits a user to pass fresh air into the chambervia an air intake mechanism without pressure buildup as the user's soundcontaining air is vented out of the anechoic channel. In oneconfiguration, the outer wall of the apparatus is configured to reflectambient sounds. In another embodiment, the apparatus features an earsealed chamber to keep ambient sounds out of a user's ear.

It is yet a further objective to disclose devices that provide anair-tight chamber over the mouth and ear of a user while absorbing allmegahertz frequency fields of communicative sounds by male and femalespeakers. In one embodiment, the device is defined by: an anechoicchamber with a mouth opening plus an anechoic channel for dampeningacoustics about a receiver portion of a communication device; anantiphase/anti-noise speaker disposed within the anechoic chamber; andan ear chamber with an ear opening dampening acoustics about amicrophone of a communication device. In a preferred embodiment, thedevice features electronics software on a printed circuit board (PCB),which measures the sound of a user's voice via a microphone and createsan antiphase noise to cancel the sound of the user's voice insubstantially real-time (the best as the software can interpret thespeech sounds and create antiphase sound waves). In a preferredembodiment, the ear and anechoic chambers are configured for placementso that the device lies along the mentocervical angle, mentocervicalangle length, menton-subnasale length, bitragoin-subnasale arc, orbitragoin-menton arc of a user at a range of nineteen to twenty threedegrees. Other embodiments may not incorporate these angles. In use, amouth may be placed in the mouth opening to create a substantiallyair-tight seal and position the mouth so that the acoustics of acommunicative sound from the mouth are directed toward the receiverportion of the communication device within the anechoic chamber. Byallowing the specific ergonomic design of the mouth seal to push easilyinto the soft tissue of a user's face around the user's teeth, asubstantially air-tight seal is created that does not hinder the user'sideal pronunciation and intonation of verbs, adjectives, pronouns andother words. In a preferred embodiment, air from the user's breathduring speech is directed through the anechoic channel for improvedacoustic absorption and microphone sound pick-up. The result is voicecommunication being contained within the anechoic chamber of the devicefor maintaining privacy of the phone conversation.

Preferably, the apparatus is configured to fit securely over the ear andmouth of a user, without breaking the air tight seal between the mouthopening and mouth of a user and the seal between the ear opening and theear of a user. Suitably, this is accomplished via positioning theapparatus at a metocervical angle in a range of fifteen and twenty fivedegrees relative to the face of a user. Other embodiments need notincorporate these angles. A preferable metocervical angle position forthe apparatus is about nineteen degrees for female users and abouttwenty three degrees for male users. These metocervical angle positionsresult in the appropriate ear to mouth engagement at an eighty-eighthpercentile relationship for both of the bitragion sub-nasale arc and thebitragion-menton arc anthropometric measurements. This insureseven/equal user pressure around the entire menton subnasale area (i.e.,direct contact area of the entire perimeter of the product's face soundseal) and the center of the ear.

It is yet a further objective of the invention to disclose a device thatis works in conjunction with a phone and provides a substantiallyair-tight chamber over a sound source while absorbing relatively allfrequency fields of speech from the sound source. In an alternativeembodiment, the phone features: hollow chambers that reduce noise byallowing expanding sound waves to be decelerated and cooled, allowingthe sound waves to be greatly reduced in velocity, which produces lessnoise signature.

Finally it is an object of the disclosure to describe a telephonehandset that features an antiphase/anti-noise speaker within an anechoicchamber so that noises provided therein can be combatted with antiphasenoises.

Other objectives and desires may become apparent to one of skill in theart after reading the below disclosure and viewing the associatedfigures. Also, these and other embodiments will become apparent from thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristicscan be obtained is explained in the following description and attachedfigures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 with a blow-outdepicting the sound reflecting surface contours of the device;

FIG. 3 is a cross section of an apparatus for ensuring the privacy andclarity of communications over communication devices;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the shell of the device showing isolatedanechoic chambers separate from the electric components;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of a side wall of an anechoic chamber;

FIG. 6 is an environmental view of the device;

FIG. 7 is a perspective and environmental view of the device;

FIG. 8 is a cross section and environmental view of a device formaintaining the privacy of a singer's voice;

FIG. 9 is a perspective and environmental view of the apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a cross section of an apparatus for ensuring the privacy ofsounds generated via a woodwind instrument;

FIG. 11 is a view of headphones for use with the device of FIGS. 7 and9;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section of an alternate embodiment of the device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an environmental view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, in use;

FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of an alternate embodiment of a devicethat uses baffles to muffle or otherwise change the signature of sound;

FIG. 15 is a cross-section view of the embodiment of the device of FIG.14;

FIG. 16 is a cross-section of an alternate design of the embodimentshown in 14;

FIG. 17A is a cross-section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 with amicrophone positioned in a first location;

FIG. 17B is a cross-section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 with amicrophone positioned in a second location; and,

FIG. 17C is a cross-section of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 with amicrophone positioned in a third location;

FIG. 18 is a cross section of another embodiment of a device;

FIG. 19 is a horizontal cross section of an anechoic chamber of thedevice of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a plurality view of the anechoic chamber of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a circuit board of the device of FIG. 18; and

FIG. 22 is a circuit board of the device of FIG. 18;

FIG. 23 is a front view of another embodiment of a device;

FIG. 24 is a rear view of the device of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a right-side view of the device of FIGS. 23 and 24;

FIG. 26 is a left-side view of the device of FIGS. 23 through 25;

FIG. 27 is a cross section of the device of FIGS. 23 through 26;

FIG. 28 is an x-ray view of the rear of the device of FIGS. 23 through26; and,

FIG. 29 is an illustration of the operations of the device of FIG. 23through 26.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate onlytypical embodiments of the disclosed assemblies, and therefore, are notto be considered limiting of their scope, for the disclosed assembliesmay admit to other equally effective embodiments that will beappreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also,figures are not necessarily made to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed, in general, are devices that provide an air-tight chamberover a sound source while trapping, containing, absorbing, directing anddeflecting all fields of sounds from the sound source (e.g., the mouthof a human or a woodwind instrument). In general, the devices feature: aspecialized anechoic chamber that is configured to receive a soundsource in an aft-tight manner; and a specialized anechoic channel thatis in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere. Suitably, theanechoic chamber is adapted to capture air containing sound energygenerated by the sound source, and distribute the air about an internalsurface area on the inside of the chamber, wherein the internal surfacearea is sufficiently large to dampen or otherwise absorb the soundsenergy. Preferably, the air is directed from the anechoic chamberthrough an anechoic tubular channel extending therefrom to the ambientto further dampen or absorb the sound energy. In one configuration, theouter wall of the apparatus is configured to reflect ambient sounds. Themore specific details of the preferred embodiment are disclosed inconnection with the figures.

By allowing the specific ergonomic design of the mouth seal to pusheasily into the soft tissue of a user's face around the user's teeth, asubstantially air-tight seal is created that does not hinder the user'sideal pronunciation and intonation of verbs adjectives, pronouns andother words easily without stress on the areas of the lips used forpronunciation. Preferably, the apparatus is configured to fit securelyover the ear and mouth of a user, without breaking the air tight sealbetween the mouth opening and mouth of a user and the seal between theear opening and the ear of a user. Suitably, this is accomplished viapositioning the apparatus at a metocervical angle in a range of fifteenand twenty five degrees relative to the face of a user. A preferablementocervical angle position for the apparatus is about nineteen degreesfor female users and about twenty three degrees for male users. Thesemetocervical angle positions result in the appropriate ear to mouthengagement at an eighty-eighth percentile relationship for both of thebitragion sub-nasale arc and the bitragion-menton arc measurements. Thisinsures even/equal user pressure around the entire menton subnasale area(i.e., direct contact area of the entire perimeter of the product's facesound seal) and the center of the ear.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus 1000 for maintaining theprivacy and clarity of communications made over a communication device.As shown, the apparatus 1000 is generally in the shape of a telephonehandset and defined by: (1) an anechoic chamber 1100 with a mouthopening 1110 for engaging a mouth of a user; (2) a handle 1200; and, (3)an ear chamber 1300 with an ear opening 1310 for engaging the ear of auser.

As shown in FIG. 1, the handle 1200 is generally curved wherein: ananechoic chamber 1100 is generally positioned at the lower end of thehandle 1200; and the ear chamber 1300 is positioned at an upper end ofthe handle. Both the anechoic chamber 1100 and the ear chamber 1300generally define basins at either end of the handle 1000. Thespecifically designed anechoic chamber 1100 preferably features contours1130 on its inner walls and cushioning 1140 around the lip of the mouthopening. Similarly, the ear chamber features cushioning 1330 around thelip of the ear opening 1310. Finally, the handle 1200 is configured witha curve so that it can be gripped by the hand of a user while the earand anechoic chambers are simultaneously positioned over the ear andmouth. In a preferred embodiment, the handle has a curvature and shapeof a banana fruit for the ergonomic use and comfort of a user. Althoughnot shown, the handle 1200 may further feature grips to assist userswith arthritis afflictions in holding the apparatus 1000.

As discussed in greater detail below, the apparatus 1000 is designed toreceive and transmit telephone communications from and to acommunication device (e.g., wirelessly via Bluetooth® type technology)or wired communication device (e.g., landline phone) and generally beoperated in the manner of a telephone handset. For this reason, FIG. 1depicts an air inlet 1120 within the anechoic chamber 1100. As discussedin greater detail below, the vent 1120 suitably features a triple layerair seal design that blocks ambient sounds from entering the anechoicchambers during a user's speech and that easily flexes under a negativepressure within the chamber 1100 to allow sufficient air into thechamber 1100 during speech. In other words, the vent 1120 makes it sothe user does not have to pull away from the apparatus 1000 to breatheduring use. Also depicted are (a) phone controls 1210 (e.g., volume andaccept or decline buttons, hold button, or mute speaker button) on thehandle 1200, power ports 1220 on the handle 1200, an audio port 1230(e.g., for receiving a headphone jack), and speaker holes 1320 withinthe ear chamber 1300. In a preferred embodiment, the phone controls 1210include a hold or mute button that will allow the user essentially turnoff the phone when not engaged against the user's face to shield thelistening party from the ambient noise or discussion of the user.

FIG. 2 is a recreation of the perspective view of the apparatus 1000FIG. 1, with an additional blow-out view to illustrate the externalsurface of the apparatus 1000. As shown in the blow-out view, theexternal surface of the apparatus is defined by a hex-skin or aplurality of hexagonal tiles positioned in an array over the surface ofthe apparatus 1000. In a preferred embodiment, each hexagon defines aplane or face for reflecting ambient sound energy, wherein each plane orface is angled on a lightly different angle relative to the plane of anyadjacent hexagon within the skin. This angular offset from polygonalshapes results in ambient sound deflection to maintain the quality ofsounds within the apparatus. Suitably, this angular offset weakens theambient sound's intensity by not allowing sound energy to focus on aspecific area on the surface of the outside of the anechoic chamber1100. In a preferred embodiment, the surface of each hexagon iscontoured to further disrupt ambient sounds via minimal absorption anddeflection so that large focused sound energy cannot enter the anechoicchamber. Other polygonal patterns may be integrated.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sections of the apparatus 1000 depicted inFIG. 1. These cross-sections are intended to illustrate the interiorworkings of the claimed device. Specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates theinner workings of the sound trapping, containing, absorbing, directingand deflecting components of the apparatus 1000 and FIG. 4 illustratesthe electrical components for telephonic communications. Referring toboth FIGS. 3 and 4, the phone electronics are, (apart from a microphone1270) disposed within the acoustic chamber, and preferably isolated fromsound absorbing components to ensure the sound components create asubstantially or completely air-tight environment. As noted below ingreater detail, the vent 1120 (FIG. 3) is positioned relative to themicrophone 1270 (FIG. 4) so that flowing air upon fresh air-intake doesnot cause interference with the microphone 1270. Additionally, the vent1120 should be flush with the external surface and positioned in themiddle of the apparatus 1000 so that, when facing sound, the vent doesnot provide energy that may be reflected.

Referring first to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, sound may be captured and/orabsorbed or directed from the flow of air caused by speech during use ofthe apparatus 1000. In a preferred embodiment, sound energy 1 iscaptured or absorbed via the anechoic chamber 1100 and the anechoicchannel 1250 disposed within the handle 1200. Suitably, the anechoicchamber 1100 is adapted to capture air 2 containing sound energygenerated by a sound source (not shown), and distribute the air 2 overthe inner surface of the chamber 1100 and through the anechoic channel1250 (i.e., the channel 1250 provides fluid communication between theanechoic chamber 1100 and the ambient). The amount of air 2 being passedover the vocal cords is directly proportionate to voice sound volume.

Still referring to the same figures, the anechoic chamber 1100 featuresa vent 1120. The vent 1120 is provided so that (a) air may be suppliedto the user without disengaging the device from the users face mouth andear whereby a substantially air-tight seal may remain between theanechoic chamber 1100 and a user's face. The vent 1120 opens undernegative pressure within the chamber. The vent 1120 closes under thepositive pressure caused by a sound source within the chamber 1100. Thisinlet preferably allows air 2 to pass into the anechoic chamber 1100. Ina preferred embodiment, the inlet is defined by a vent 1120 with triplerubber flex valves in a naturally closed position. The triple valveprovides ambient sound insulation/shielding during speech. The rubberflex values easily open when a breath of fresh air is needed to breathewhile speaking. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 1, the anechoic chamber 1100features contours 1130 for increasing the surface area of its internalsidewalls. Preferably, these peak contours 1130 are a specific shape toenhance the absorption of low base megahertz frequencies. Furthersurface area is provided via placing small holes or pores in thecontours 1130. In the depicted embodiment those contours 1130 aredefined by wedges or ridges. Suitably, similar pored contours 1251 maybe provided to the inner walls of the anechoic channel 1250. As shown,the contours 1251 cooperate to guide energized air (energized with nearfield sound energy that was not absorbed or contained in the anechoicchamber 1100) over its surface area and around corners to physicallymake the air lose sound wave energy. In a preferred embodiment, theanechoic chamber 1100 and channel 1250 is provided with an air vent 1252through the handle 1200 so that air that has been de-energized of soundenergy may be exhausted to the ambient atmosphere. As shown, theexhausted air 2 from the vent 1252 is directed away from the ear chamber1300 so that if any sound energy remains in the air, the remnant energywill be directed away from the ear chamber 1300 (FIG. 1) and itsspeaker.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the sidewalls of the anechoic chamber1100 and anechoic channel 1250 are configured to trap, contain, absorb,direct, and deflect sound energy from air that contacts its surfacearea. For this purpose, the sidewalls of the anechoic chamber 1100 andchannel 1250, the sidewalls are constructed of dense open cell acousticfoam for maximum energy absorption and dissipation. When air containslarge amounts of sound energy, some of that energy will inevitablypropagate through materials designed to absorb the energy andpotentially be released to the ambient atmosphere. In view of this fact,the sidewalls preferably feature layers with various acousticalproperties (including energy densities) for further sound absorption andreflection of sound energy back toward the inside of the anechoicchamber 1200 and the user's face. These layers are depicted in FIG. 5,which is a cross section of a typical sidewall.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 3, the inner walls of the anechoic chamber 1100and the anechoic channel 1250 are suitably constructed in layers. Asshown in FIG. 5: a first layer 1252 may be defined by an anti-microbialsound absorbent coating to maximize bass dampening while not allowingthe surfaces in contact with the users salvia to become ridden withbacteria; a second layer 1253 comprised of dense open cell acoustic foamdefining the pored contours 1130 and 1251 of the chamber 1100 andchannel 1250; a third layer 1254 for defined by a composite (e.g.,modeling clay that will not shrink or dry always staying permeable) orfoil/metal (e.g., aluminum foil or light gauge sheet metal) forabsorbing, deflecting and reflecting energy back to within the anechoicchamber and thru to the channel up to the exhaust; a fourth layer 1255of dense open cell acoustic foam; a fifth layer 1256 of a composite orfoil/metal or clay for absorbing and or reflecting energy; a sixth layer1257 of large, open cell plastic; and the outer shell of the apparatus1000. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, sound energy 5 is absorbed by thesecond layer 1253 and, if not, the energy 6 is reflected by the thirdlayer 1254. The second and third layers are important to functionbecause if energy is not adsorbed by the second layer 1253 it isreflected by the third layer 1254. The configuration of functionalspecific layers of coatings, open cell foam, sheet metal, modeling clay,rubber layers is specifically designed to absorb, contain, reflect anddirect the different ranges of frequencies/wavelengths of the soundwaves from and male and female speaking, singing and playing a musicalinstrument, and therefore the combination of these layers, or sets oflayers (example: modeling clay backed by thin metal), work to maximizeall sound energy absorption and prevent the sound energy from escapingthe device.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the upper portion of the handle 1200 features ahousing 1260 for retaining the electronics that enable the apparatus tobe used in the manner of a telephone handset. This housing 1260 furtherallows for sound vibration isolation from the anechoic chambers 1100 andsub assembly for manufacturing. This configuration allows the anechoicchamber 1100 to be easily assembled in a substantially air tight manner,which may be important to operation of the device. The electronicseparation is also needed to direct and expel the electronic heat fromthe device. As shown, the housing 1260 retains a battery 1261, a mothercircuit board 1262 that is electrically coupled to the phone controls1210 (including volume controls, on/off controls, and hold microphonebutton controls), a speaker 1263, a microphone 1270 that is specificallydesigned to function in a positive air pressure environment, and areceiver/transmitter 1264 (e.g., Bluetooth®) (which may be coupled tothe mother circuit board 1262 for receiving and transmittingcommunications to and from a device (e.g., cell phone, two way radio, orhome phone). To vent the naturally occurring build-up of heat fromelectronic operations, the housing 1260 is outfitted with a vent 1280for venting heat from the housing 1260. This isolated vent 1280 alsoallows the devices audio speaker to naturally flex its speaker membranefor clear sound amplification. These phone electronics are configured tooperate in the manner of a Bluetooth® or other wireless headset formobile, home, or office communication devices. The jack 1230 ispreferably a 3.5 mm industry standard headphone jack so the device canbe wired (linked) to a cell phone without bluetooth. In suchconfigurations the blue tooth components will either be off or notlocated in the device. As shown, the microphone 1270 is positionedwithin the anechoic chamber from the housing 1260 so that no salviagenerally comes in contact with the users “salvia spray” while speaking.The microphone 1270 is also positioned so air from the intake will notcause “noise” air flow interference from incoming air when the userbreathes. Suitably, the microphone 1270 is configured for use within apressurized chamber and with an air tight seal between the anechoicchamber 1100 and the housing 1260. In other words, the microphone 1270is specifically designed to function in a positive air pressureenvironment. The microphone 1270 may preferably be passed through ahousing 1260 via opening 1291 (see FIG. 3). Again, this specificposition allows for isolation from the majority of the sound vibrationsand also to aid in sub manufacturing assembles. Finally, weights 1271and 1272 may be positioned at the upper and lower portions of theapparatus 1000 for balance.

As alluded to above, the apparatus 1000 is designed to be operated inthe manner of a telephone handset. FIG. 6 shows an environmental view ofthe apparatus 1000 in operation. As shown, the apparatus 1000 isoperated via placing (1) the mouth opening 1110 securely over the mouthof a user so that the cushioning 1140 or flexible rubber seal of thedevice 1000 is firmly and comfortably positioned around the mouth of theuser and (2) the ear opening 1310 over the ear of a user so that thecushioning 1330 is firmly positioned around or over the ear of a user.Suitably, the anechoic chamber cushioning 1140 or flexible rubber sealis configured to act as an air-tight gasket between the interface of themouth and anechoic chamber 1100. In one embodiment, the cushioning maybe removable, disposable, and replaceable to avoid build-up of dirt,bacteria and other substances that may accumulate during use. FIG. 13illustrates the positioning of the device 1000 over the mouth. Suitably,the mouth opening is generally mouth shaped and curved so that it may bepressed around the mouth of a user and into the soft tissue 5000 (thearea indicated by dashed lines) of the face. In a preferred embodiment,the mouth opening must engage the soft tissue of the face so that themouth piece pushes softly into the face without interfering with thelips so the user has no difficulties speaking and singing normally. Thisengagement creates a substantially air-tight seal around the mouth of auser and allows the ear chamber 1300 to be properly positioned over theear. The ear chamber 1300 cushioning 1330 is configured to act as agasket between the interface of the ear and ear chamber 1200.

Preferably, the apparatus is configured to fit securely over the ear andmouth of a user, without breaking the air tight seal between the mouthopening 1110 and mouth of a user and the seal between the ear opening1310 and the ear of a user. Suitably, this is accomplished viapositioning the apparatus at a metocervical angle in a range of fifteenand twenty five degrees relative to the face of a user. Otherembodiments need not incorporate these angles. A preferable metocervicalangle position for the apparatus is about nineteen degrees for femaleusers and about twenty three degrees for male users. These metocervicalangle positions result in the appropriate ear to mouth engagement at aneighty-eighth percentile relationship for both of the bitragoinsub-nasal arc and the bitragion-menton arc anthropometric measurements.This insures even/equal user pressure around the entire menton subnasalearea (i.e., direct contact area of the entire perimeter of the product'sface sound seal) and the center of the ear.

In another embodiment, a device can include an anechoic chamber 1100configured to attach to a conventional phone device. FIG. 12 illustratesa cross section of such an embodiment of the apparatus 1000. In thisembodiment, a cellular phone 100, such as an iPhone®, may be providedinto the apparatus 1000 housing 1260 for retaining the electronics. Theshape of the handle 1200 will have to be modified depending on the typeof phone being provided to the housing 1260.

FIG. 7 is a perspective and environmental view of an apparatus 2000 formaintaining the privacy of sound produced by a singer. FIG. 8 is a crosssection of apparatus of FIG. 7. As shown, the apparatus 2000 isgenerally in the shape of a mask and defined by: (1) an anechoic chamber2100 with a mouth opening 2110 for engaging a mouth of a user; (2)straps 2200 securing the mask to the face of a user, and (3) externalear phones 2300.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, sound may be captured and or absorbedduring use of the apparatus 2000. In a preferred embodiment, soundenergy 1 is captured or absorbed via the anechoic chamber 2100 and theanechoic channel 2250 disposed adjacent to the chamber 2100. Suitably,the anechoic chamber 2100 is adapted to capture air 2 containing soundenergy generated by a sound source (e.g., a singer), and distribute theair 2 over the inner surface of the chamber 2100 and through theanechoic channel 2250 (i.e., the channel 2250 provides fluidcommunication between the anechoic chamber 2100 and the ambientatmosphere). So that air may be energized with sound from within theanechoic chamber 2100, the anechoic chamber 2100 features an air inlet2120. This inlet preferably allows air 2 to pass into the anechoicchamber 2100. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet is defined by a vent2120 with double rubber flex valves in a naturally closed position. Thevent 2120 closes under the positive pressure caused by a sound sourcewithin the chamber. As shown in FIG. 7, the anechoic chamber 2100features contours 2130 for increasing the surface area of its internalsidewalls. Further surface area is provided via placing small holes orpores in the contours. In the depicted embodiment those contours aredefined by wedges or ridges. Suitably, similar contours 2251 may beprovided to the inner walls of the anechoic channel 2250. In a preferredembodiment, the anechoic channel 2250 is provided with an air vent 2252through the apparatus 2000, so that air that has been de-energized ofsound energy may be exhausted to the ambient atmosphere. Finally, theapparatus 2000 features audio output mechanisms 3300 for providing thesound to the earphones 2300 (FIG. 8). Suitably, the straps 2200 areengaged with a sufficient pressure to secure the mouth opening over theentire menton-nasal root area (i.e., direct contact area of the entireperimeter of the products face sound seal). All other aspects operate inthe same or analogous manner as those described above in connection withearlier embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a perspective and environmental view of an apparatus 3000 formaintaining the privacy of sound produced by a woodwind instrument. FIG.10 is a cross section of apparatus of FIG. 9. As shown, the apparatus3000 is generally in the shape of a box and defined by an anechoicchamber 3100 with an opening 3110 for engaging a woodwind instrument.FIG. 10 illustrates the inner workings of the sound capturing and/ordissipating components of the apparatus 3000.

Referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, sound may be captured and or absorbedduring use of the apparatus 3000. In a preferred embodiment, soundenergy 1 is captured or absorbed via the anechoic chamber 3100 and theanechoic channel 3250 disposed adjacent to the chamber 3100 Suitably,the anechoic chamber 3100 is adapted to capture air 2 containing soundenergy generated by a sound source (e.g., a woodwind instrument), anddistribute the air 2 over the inner surface of the chamber 3100 andthrough the anechoic channel 3250 (i.e., the channel 3250 provides fluidcommunication between the anechoic chamber 3100 and the ambient).

As shown in FIG. 9, the anechoic chamber 3100 features contours 3130 forincreasing the surface area of its internal sidewalls. Further surfacearea is provided via placing small holes or pores in the contours. Inthe depicted embodiment those contours are defined by wedges or ridges.Suitably, similar contours 3251 may be provided to the inner walls ofthe anechoic channel 3250. In a preferred embodiment, the anechoicchamber 3250 is provided with an air vent 3252 so that air that has beende-energized of sound energy may be exhausted to the ambient. Finally,the apparatus features audio output mechanisms 3300 for providing thesound to the earphones 2300 (FIG. 11). All other aspects are configuredor operate in the same or analogous manner as those described above inconnection with earlier embodiments.

Further disclosed, in general, are devices that provide a substantiallysound-tight suppressor chamber over a sound source while trapping,containing, absorbing, directing and deflecting fields of sounds fromthe sound source (e.g., the mouth of a human). In general, the devicesfeature: a specialized suppressor chamber that is configured to receivea sound source in a substantially sound-tight manner (meaning onlyallowing to muffled unintelligible escape of sound); and a specializedsuppressor channel that is in fluid communication with the ambientatmosphere. Suitably, the suppressor chamber is adapted to capture aircontaining sound energy generated by the sound source, and direct theair to the suppressor channel to dampen or otherwise absorb the soundsenergy. More specific details of alternate embodiments are disclosed inconnection with FIGS. 14 through 17C.

FIG. 14 is a perspective cross section view of an apparatus 4000 formaintaining the privacy and clarity of communications made over acommunication device. As shown, the apparatus 4000 is generally in theshape of a telephone handset and defined by: (1) a suppresser chamber4100 with a mouth opening 4110 for engaging a mouth of a user (notshown); (2) a handle 4200; and, (3) an ear chamber 4300 with an earopening 4310 for engaging the ear of a user.

As shown in FIG. 14, the handle 4200 is generally curved wherein: asuppresser chamber 4100 is generally positioned at the lower end of thehandle 4200; and the ear chamber 4300 is positioned at an upper end ofthe handle 4200. Both the suppressor chamber 4100 and the ear chamber4300 generally define basins at either end of the handle 4200. Thespecifically designed suppressor chamber 4100 preferably features a foam113 insert 4130 and cushioning 4140 around the lip of the mouth opening4110. Similarly, the ear chamber 4300 features cushioning 4330 aroundthe lip of the ear opening 4310. Finally, the handle 4200 is configuredwith a curve so that it can be gripped by the hand of a user (not shown)while the ear and suppressor chambers (4100, 4300) are simultaneouslypositioned over the user's ear and mouth. In a preferred embodiment, thehandle 4200 may have a curvature and shape of a banana fruit for theergonomic use and comfort of a user. Although not shown, the handle 4200may further feature grips to assist users with arthritis afflictions inholding the apparatus 4000. Lower profile shapes are also contemplated.

As with earlier embodiments described above, the apparatus is configuredto fit securely over the ear and mouth of a user, without substantiallybreaking the sound-tight seal between the mouth opening and mouth of auser and the seal between the ear opening and the ear of a user.Suitably, this is accomplished via positioning the apparatus at ametocervical angle in a range of fifteen and twenty five degreesrelative to the face of a user. A preferable mentocervical angleposition for the apparatus is about nineteen degrees for female usersand about twenty three degrees for male users. These metocervical anglepositions result in the appropriate ear to mouth engagement at aneighty-eighth percentile relationship for both of the bitragionsub-nasale arc and the bitragion-menton arc measurements. This insureseven/equal user pressure around the entire menton subnasale area (i.e.,direct contact area of the entire perimeter of the product's face soundseal) and the center of the ear.

As discussed in greater detail below, the apparatus 4000 is designed toreceive and transmit telephone communications from and to acommunication device (e.g., wirelessly via Bluetooth® type technology)or wired communication device (e.g., landline phone) and generally beoperated in the manner of a telephone handset. Also depicted are phonecontrols 4210 (e.g., volume and accept or decline buttons, hold button,or mute speaker button) on the handle 4200, power ports 4220 on thehandle 4200, an audio port 4230 (e.g., for receiving a headphone jack),and speaker holes (not shown) within the ear chamber 4300. In apreferred embodiment, the phone controls 4210 include a hold or mutebutton that will allow the user essentially turn off the phone when notengaged against the user's face to shield the listening party from theambient noise or discussion of the user.

FIG. 15 is a cross-section of the apparatus 4000 of FIG. 14. Thecross-sections of FIGS. 14 and 15 are intended to illustrate theinterior workings of the claimed embodiments. Specifically, the figureillustrates certain inner workings of the sound trapping, containing,absorbing, directing and deflecting components of the apparatus 4000 andthe electrical components for telephonic communications. Referring toboth figures, the phone electronics are, (apart from a microphone 4270)disposed within the acoustic chamber, and preferably isolated from soundabsorbing components to ensure the sound components create asubstantially or completely sound-tight environment.

Still referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, sound may be captured and/orabsorbed or directed from the flow of air caused by speech during use ofthe apparatus 4000. In a preferred embodiment, sound energy is capturedand absorbed/dissipated via the suppressor channel 4250 disposed withinthe handle 4200. Suitably, the suppressor chamber 4100 is adapted tocapture air containing sound energy generated by a sound source (notshown) and provide the air through the suppressor channel 4250 (i.e.,the channel 4250 provides fluid communication between the suppressorchamber 4100 and the ambient).

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the suppressor channel 4250 featuresbaffling 4152 for restraining or regulating the flow of air through thesuppressor channel 4250. Structurally, the baffling 4152 is spaced atgraduatedly shorter distances along the handle 4200. Suitably, thebaffling 4152 causes a series of alternating contractions and expansionsof the air so that heat and sound energy is dissipated and the signatureof sound is changed as air moves through the channel 2250. Suitably, theopenings of the baffling 4152 may be aligned coaxially with the channel4250, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, or staggered (not shown) forincreased turbulence of air as it moves through the channel 4250. In oneembodiment, shown in FIG. 16, the baffling 4152 is angled so thatportions of the air may be trapped by sound particle turbulence in thespace 4153 between the channel's 4250 sidewall and baffling 4152.Suitably, sound waves expand or diverge as they are directed through thebaffling 4152 into the adjacent space or cell along the channel 4250with a whirling or rotary movement. Suitably, this turbulence creates anoise canceling environment. In use, the rapid rotary movement of thesound waves presses outward against the wall of the channel, and thevelocity of movement of the sound waves is gradually reduced. Referringto FIGS. 14, 15, and 16, the channel 2250 further features contours 4151for increasing the surface area of its internal sidewalls. Preferably,these peak contours are a specific shape to enhance the absorption ofhigh, medium and low base megahertz frequencies. In the depictedembodiment, those contours are defined by wedges or ridges. As shown,the contours 4151 cooperate to guide sound energized air over itssurface area and around corners to physically make the air lose soundwave energy or otherwise change the signature of the sound energy. In apreferred embodiment, the suppressor channel 4250 is provided with anair vent 4252 through the handle 4200 so that air that has beende-energized of sound energy may be exhausted to the ambient atmosphere.Ultimately, the sound waves exit the suppressor channel at a greatlyreduced velocity with little or no sound signature. As shown, theexhausted air from the vent 4251 is directed away from the ear chamber4300 so that if any sound energy remains in the air, the remnant energywill be directed away from the ear chamber 4300 and its speaker andanyone around the speaker.

Referring now to FIG. 14, the upper portion of the handle 4200 featuresa housing 4260 for retaining the electronics that enable the apparatusto be used in the manner of a telephone handset. This housing 4260further allows for sound vibration isolation from the suppressor chamber4100 and sub assembly for manufacturing so the chamber 4100 is easilyassembled in a substantially sound-tight manner, which may be importantto operation of the device. The electronic separation is also preferredto direct and expel the electronic heat from the device. As shown, thehousing 4260 retains a battery 4261, a mother circuit board 4262 that iselectrically coupled to the phone controls 4210 (including volumecontrols, on/off controls, and hold microphone button controls), aspeaker 4263, a microphone 4270 (shown in FIG. 15) that is specificallydesigned to function in a positive air pressure environment, and areceiver/transmitter 4264 (e.g., Bluetooth®) (which may be coupled tothe mother circuit board 4262 for receiving and transmittingcommunications to and from a device (e.g., cell phone, two way radio, orhome phone). These phone electronics are configured to operate in themanner of a Bluetooth® or other wireless headset for mobile, home, oroffice communication devices.

Referring to FIG. 15, the microphone 4270 is positioned centrally withinthe suppressor chamber. Alternative positioning of the microphone 4270is also available and shown in FIGS. 17A through 17C. Specifically, themicrophone 4270 may be positioned centrally (FIG. 17A) at the confluenceof the suppressor chamber and channel, toward the bottom middle (FIG.17B) at the confluence of the suppressor chamber and channel, or towardthe top middle (FIG. 17C) at the confluence of the suppressor chamberand channel. Suitably, the microphone 4270 is configured for use withina pressurized chamber and with a substantially sound-tight seal betweenthe suppressor chamber and the housing 4260. In other words, themicrophone 4270 is specifically designed to function in a positive airpressure environment. In one embodiment, the microphone may suitably bea MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) microphone. Suitably, impedancemismatch due to static pressure and different volumes of air pressureand decibel levels can be countered and anticipated in real-time withMEMS microphones because they can be programmed via software to changethe way the microphone reacts under various air pressures and decibellevels of the user. Also, input impedance may be automatically adjustedwith each user, noting tonality and decibel volume changes fromuser-to-user. It should be noted that voice frequency for telephony isin the range of 300 Hz to 3400 Hz and it is preferred that software beused to block any frequencies that are not within that range. Othermicrophones that are suitable for use in the device include, but are notlimited to, impedance-matching microphones, noise canceling microphones,dynamic microphones, ribbon microphones, carbon microphones,piezoelectric microphones, fiber optic microphones, laser microphones,liquid microphones, MEMs microphones and speakers. In one embodiment,the microphones may be unidirectional, but omnidirectional, cardioid,bi-direction, and shotgun microphones may also be suitable for use.

As alluded to above, the apparatus 4000 is designed to be operated inthe manner of a telephone handset. As with earlier embodiments, theapparatus 4000 is operated via placing (1) the mouth opening 4110securely over the mouth of a user so that the cushioning 4140 orflexible rubber seal of the device 4000 is firmly and comfortablypositioned around the mouth of the user and (2) the ear opening 4310over the ear of a user so that the cushioning 4330 is firmly positionedaround or over the ear of a user. The details regarding operation of thehandset of the preferred embodiment are substantially the same for theoperation of the alternate embodiments of the disclosed apparatus.

Yet further disclosed, in general, are devices that provide asubstantially sound-tight suppressor chamber over a sound source whiletrapping, containing, absorbing, directing and deflecting fields ofsounds from the sound source (e.g., the mouth of a human). In general,the devices feature: a dual anechoic chamber that is configured toreceive a sound source in a substantially sound-tight manner (meaningonly allowing muffled unintelligible escape of sound); and a specializedsuppressor channel that is in fluid communication with the ambientatmosphere. In a preferred embodiment, the dual anechoic chamber isdefined by: a cup shaped anechoic main voice chamber; and a secondaryvoice airflow anechoic chamber. Suitably, the main and secondary voicechambers create a double sound transmission de-coupler for voiceairflow. Other preferred features of the device include an analog todigital and digital to analog telephone circuitry switch. More specificdetails of alternate embodiments are disclosed in connection with FIGS.18 through 22.

FIG. 18 is a vertical cross section view of an apparatus 5000 formaintaining the privacy and clarity of communications made over acommunication device. As shown, the apparatus 5000 is generally in theshape of a telephone handset and defined by: (1) a dual anechoic chamber5100 with a mouth opening 5110 for engaging a mouth of a user (notshown); (2) a handle 5200; and, (3) an ear chamber 5300 with an earopening 5310 for engaging the ear of a user.

As shown in FIG. 18, the handle 5200 is generally curved wherein: thedual anechoic chamber 5100 is generally positioned at the lower end ofthe handle 5200; and the ear chamber 5300 is positioned at an upper endof the handle 4200. Both the dual anechoic chamber 5100 and the earchamber 5300 generally define basins at either end of the handle 5200.The dual anechoic chamber 5100 preferably features cushioning 5140around the lip of the mouth opening 5110. As shown, the cushioning 5140preferably features a thin wall of food grade silicone rubber or thelike, which is treated with antimicrobial chemicals. In one embodiment,the cushioning 5140 is nitrogen injected to create a thin wall that isairtight allowing the seal around the users mouth to comfortably becompressed around the mouth of a user so that an airtight sound proofenvironment for speaking is the result. Similarly, the ear chamber 5300features cushioning 5330 around the lip of the ear opening 5310.Finally, the handle 5200 is configured with a curve so that it can begripped by the hand of a user (not shown) while the ear and dualanechoic chambers (5100, 5300) are simultaneously positioned over theuser's ear and mouth. In a preferred embodiment, the handle 5200 mayhave a curvature and shape of a banana fruit for the ergonomic use andcomfort of a user. Although not shown, the handle 5200 may furtherfeature grips to assist users with arthritis afflictions in holding theapparatus 5000. Lower profile shapes are also contemplated.

As with earlier embodiments described above, the apparatus is configuredto fit securely over the ear and mouth of a user, without substantiallybreaking the sound-tight seal between the mouth opening and mouth of auser and the seal between the ear opening and the ear of a user.Suitably, this is accomplished via positioning the apparatus at ametocervical angle in a range of fifteen and twenty five degreesrelative to the face of a user. A preferable mentocervical angleposition for the apparatus is about nineteen degrees for female usersand about twenty three degrees for male users. These metocervical anglepositions result in the appropriate ear to mouth engagement at aneighty-eighth percentile relationship for both of the bitragionsub-nasale arc and the bitragion-menton arc measurements. This insureseven/equal user pressure around the entire menton subnasale area (i.e.,direct contact area of the entire perimeter of the product's face soundseal) and the center of the ear.

As discussed in greater detail below, the apparatus 5000 is designed toreceive and transmit telephone communications from and to acommunication device (e.g., wirelessly via Bluetooth® type technology)or wired communication device (e.g., landline phone) and generally beoperated in the manner of a telephone handset.

FIG. 19 is a cross-section of the dual anechoic chamber of FIG. 18. Thecross-sections of FIGS. 18 and 19 are intended to illustrate theinterior workings of the preferred embodiments. Specifically, the figureillustrates certain inner workings of the sound trapping, containing,absorbing, directing and deflecting components of the apparatus 5000 andthe electrical components for telephonic communications. Referring toboth figures, the phone electronics (not shown for the most part) are(apart from a microphone 5270) disposed within the acoustic chamber, andpreferably isolated from sound absorbing components to ensure the soundcomponents create a substantially or completely sound-tight environment.

Still referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, sound may be captured and/orabsorbed or directed from the flow of air caused by speech during use ofthe apparatus 5000. In a preferred embodiment, sound energy is capturedand absorbed/dissipated via the dual anechoic chamber 5100 and thesuppressor channel 5250 disposed within the handle 200. Suitably, thedual anechoic chamber 5100 is adapted to capture air 2 containing soundenergy 3 generated by a sound source (not shown) and provide the air 2through the suppressor channel 5250 (i.e., the channel 5250 providesfluid communication between the dual anechoic chamber 5100 and theambient).

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the dual anechoic chamber 5100 features: acup shaped anechoic primary or main voice chamber 5150; and a secondaryvoice airflow anechoic chamber 5160. Suitably, the main and secondaryvoice chambers create a double sound transmission de-coupler for voiceairflow. In one embodiment, a cored out area 5180 (FIG. 18) definesanother air gap acoustic de-coupler for the voice sound waves 3 (i.e.,sound loses its transmission capabilities in the cored out area 5180).As shown, the primary chamber 5150 is defined by a cavity in the dualanechoic chamber 5100 and the secondary chamber 5160 is defined by aplurality of troughs around the outside of the primary chamber, from theopening 5110 to the suppressor channel 5250. As shown in FIG. 9, anairtight seal may be formed around the lips of a user via the cushioning5140 so that, when the user speaks sound and air may be provided intoand trapped within the primary chamber 5150 while also passing throughthe secondary chamber 5160, the suppressor channel 5250 and to theambient. Any sound 3 and air 2 that is not trapped within the primarychamber may be provided to the suppressor channel 5250 by a pathway 5151for that purpose. In a preferred embodiment, the primary chamber 5150 isheld away from the secondary anechoic chamber 5160, and away from thevoice air blast area, via air flow spacer blocks 5161, which maintainthe space of the secondary chamber 5160 (shown in broken lines). As aresult, there is very little physical vibration feedback to the user.When so configured as shown (FIG. 18), air pressure 2 and sound 3 is notprevented from being able to come in contact with the front and back ofthe microphone sensing plate inside the noise canceling microphone 5270.Suitably, pressure is equally spread around the entire outside andinside surfaces of the noise cancelling microphone 5270 so that theequalized pressure (sound pressure level) does not distort the abilityfor the microphone to pick up clear voice sounds. For this purpose, themicrophone 5270 features a shield 5271 that is positioned up around thefrontal area of the microphone 5270 to shield the microphone fromnatural air blasts from the voice of the user during speaking. In short,the secondary anechoic chamber 5160 collects air from in-between thefirst and second anechoic chambers around the perimeter of the mouth, inthe low decibel environment away from the voice blast high decibel areasin front of the mouth. Voice air from speaking fills up the primaryanechoic cup chamber 5150 and once the primary anechoic cup chamber isfull of air, then the air is channeled, through a channel 909, to thesecondary anechoic chamber 5160, then into the suppressor channel, andthen the voice air will exit the telephone with as low of decibel energyleft as possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the primary chamber 5150 is positionedthree-quarters of an inch to one and one fifth inch away from the mouthof a user to promote the sound capture. At this distance range, theuser's lips and tongue will not hit any part of the primary anechoicchamber 5150 during conversation into the device. Preferably, thisconfiguration promotes 113 comfort and cleanliness, since the primaryanechoic chamber can be easily removed and cleaned in a sink, shakendry, and re-inserted. Additionally, the second anechoic chamber can alsobe cleaned with relative ease.

FIG. 20 is a plural view of the main chamber 5150. A top view isprovided first and two cross sections are provided next. In a preferredembodiment, the main chamber 5150 is removable from, and features a pulltab 5152 for removing the component from the dual anechoic chamber 5100.As shown, the chamber 5150 may be constructed of different materials andribbed 5153 to maximize the sound absorption of a voice. In a preferredembodiment, the basin of the chamber 5150 features pyramid structures5154 to assist in sound absorption by creating maximum surface area toabsorb and deflect sound and absorb voice “heat” energy.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the suppressor channel 5250 featuresbaffling 5153 for restraining or regulating the flow of air through thesuppressor channel 5250. Structurally, the baffling 5153 is spaced atgraduatedly shorter distances along the handle 5200. Suitably, thebaffling 5153 causes a series of alternating contractions and expansionsof the air so that heat and sound energy is dissipated and the signatureof sound is changed as air moves through the channel 5250. Suitably, theopenings of the baffling may be aligned coaxially with the channel 5250,as shown in FIG. 18, or staggered (not shown) for increased turbulenceof air as it moves through the channel 5250. In one embodiment, shown inFIG. 18, the baffling is angled so that portions of the air may betrapped by sound particle turbulence in the space 5253 between thechannel's 5250 sidewall and baffling 5252. Suitably, sound waves expandor diverge as they are directed through the baffling 5252 into theadjacent space or cell along the channel 5250 with a whirling or rotarymovement. Suitably, this turbulence creates a noise cancelingenvironment. In use, the rapid rotary movement of the sound wavespresses outward against the wall of the channel, and the velocity ofmovement of the sound waves is gradually reduced. Referring to FIG. 18,the channel 5250 further features contours 5251 for increasing thesurface area of its internal sidewalls. Preferably, these peak contoursare a specific shape to enhance the absorption of high, medium, and lowbase megahertz human voice frequencies. In the depicted embodiment,those contours are defined by wedges or ridges. As shown, the contours5251 cooperate to guide sound energized air over its surface area andaround corners to physically make the air lose sound wave energy orotherwise change the signature of the sound energy. In a preferredembodiment, the suppressor channel 5250 is provided with an air vent5259 through the handle 5200 so that voice air that has beende-energized of sound energy may be exhausted to the ambient atmosphere.Ultimately, the sound waves exit the suppressor channel at a greatlyreduced velocity with little or no sound signature. As shown, theexhausted voice air from the vent 5259 is directed away from the earchamber 5300 so that if any sound energy remains in the air, the remnantenergy will be directed away from the ear chamber 4300 and its speakerand anyone around the speaker.

As alluded to above, the apparatus 5000 is designed to be operated inthe manner of a telephone handset. As with earlier embodiments, theapparatus 5000 is operated via placing (1) the mouth opening 5110securely over the mouth of a user so that the cushioning 5140 orflexible rubber seal of the device 5000 is firmly and comfortablypositioned around the mouth of the user and (2) the ear opening 5310over the ear of a user so that the cushioning 5330 is firmly positionedaround or over the ear of a user. The details regarding operation of thehandset of the preferred embodiment are substantially the same for theoperation of the alternate embodiments of the disclosed apparatus.

FIGS. 21 and 22 depict a circuit board within the handle 5200 of thedevice 5000 of the earlier figures. As shown, the board may feature: atelephone cord female jack connection 6300, wherein the telephone femalejack 6300 mounted on the circuit board receives a quick release leveredmale jack 6000 connected to a wire from the telephone base set; amechanical switch 6100 defined by a physical switch that moves when themale jack 6000 is inserted into the female jack connection 6300 locatedon the printed circuit board; and, a mechanical physical analog todigital sensing switch 6400, which may also be, but is not limited to,mechanical, optical, or magnetic. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, theswitch 6100 may be open (as shown in FIG. 21 at 6110) or closed (asshown in FIG. 22 at 6110). Additionally, the outside shell of theapparatus 5000 is configured specifically to absorb human voicefrequencies.

FIG. 23 is a front view of another embodiment of a device 1000. FIG. 24is a rear view of the device 1000. FIG. 25 is a right-side view of thedevice 1000. FIG. 26 is a left-side view of the device 1000. This device1000 differs from embodiments of the device shown in FIGS. 1 through 22in two meaningful ways. First, the device 1000 of FIGS. 23 through 26features an improved notification light 2000 to alert a user to thestatus of the device 1000. Second, the device 1000 of FIGS. 23 through26 features active noise control or active noise cancelation means (“ANCmeans”) 1270 inside of the device 1000. Said means 1270 includes a soundsource (like an antiphase/anti-noise speaker) for the addition of soundspecifically designed to cancel noise presented within the anechoicchamber 1100.

FIG. 27 is a cross section of the device of FIGS. 23 through 26. FIG. 27shows the internal placement of the ANC means 1270 and the light 2000within the device 1000. As shown, the ANC means is electrically iscoupled to the coupled to the printed circuit board of the device 1000so that it is positioned within the anechoic chamber 1100. The light2000 features a light source and is also electrically coupled to the PCBof the device 1000.

FIG. 28 is an x-ray view of the rear of the device 1000. The viewillustrates the structure and operation of the light 2000. As shown, thelight 2000 is structured as a T-shaped tube 2100 of light conductingmaterial (e.g. glass) that is positioned adjacent to a LIGHT SOURCE sothat light may be split as it passes through the T-shaped tube 2100 forpresentation at two sides of the device 1000. In use, the light 2000 andits LIGHT SOURCE (e.g., an LED bulb) is coupled to a circuit board andilluminated to present the status of the device 1000 (e.g., an incomingcall, hold, Bluetooth® sync, battery status, etc.) Presentation of thestatus on both sides of the device 1000 via a light tube 2100 enables auser to view the status of the device for three-hundred and sixtydegrees around the device 1000 with only a single LED bulb.

FIG. 29 is an illustration of the operations of the device 1000. Asshown, ANC means 1270 are provided to the device 1000. Said means 1270include a sound source for the addition of sound specifically designedto cancel noise outside of the anechoic chamber. Preferably, the ANCmeans 1270 reduces unwanted sound by the addition of a second soundwithin said anechoic chamber 1100. Suitably, the anechoic chambers areadapted to capture air containing sound energy generated by the soundsource (e.g., human voice), and distribute the air about internalanechoic acoustical surface areas on the inside of the chambers, whereinthe internal surface areas are maximized and sufficiently large todampen or otherwise absorb the sound energy. The amount of sound energyabsorbed by the anechoic chambers can be reduced via the presence of anANC means (like an antiphase/anti-noise speaker) for reducing the soundenergy in the captured air by providing the addition of a second soundto within the anechoic chamber. Placement of a user's face inside thesealed area also acts to absorb sound waves in the anechoic chamber. Ina preferred embodiment, the device features electronics software on aprinted circuit board (PCB) which measures the sound of a user's voicevia a microphone and creates an antiphase noise to cancel the sound ofthe user's voice in substantially real-time (the best as the softwarecan interpret the speech sounds and create antiphase sound waves). In apreferred embodiment, the ear and anechoic chambers are configured forplacement so that the device lies along the mentocervical angle,mentocervical angle length, menton-subnasale length, bitragoin-subnasalearc, or bitragoin-menton arc of a user at a range of nineteen to twentythree degrees. Other embodiments may not incorporate these angles. Inuse, a mouth may be placed in the mouth opening to create asubstantially air-tight seal and position the mouth so that theacoustics of a communicative sound from the mouth are directed towardthe receiver portion of the communication device within the anechoicchamber. By allowing the specific ergonomic design of the mouth seal topush easily into the soft tissue of a user's face around the user'steeth, a substantially air-tight seal is created that does not hinderthe user's ideal pronunciation and intonation of verbs adjectives,pronouns and other words easily without stress on the areas of the lipsused for pronunciation. In a preferred embodiment, air from the user'sbreath during speech is directed through the anechoic channel forimproved acoustic absorption and microphone sound pick-up. The result isvoice communication being contained within the anechoic chamber of thedevice for maintaining privacy of the phone conversation.

In an alternative embodiment, the switches, circuitry, and software on aPCB allow the apparatus 1000 to auto-sync to a multitude of land linesworldwide by: (1) determining the voltage levels used for speakers andthe bias voltage in microphones; (2) gathering the information from allof the sensors to determine which signal is present in each wire; and(3) activating or deactivating the necessary switches to create theroute for the audio and voltage signals. This auto-sync for differenttelephone wire configurations is provided for land lines to insert intothe female jack 6300. Thus, the apparatus 1000 may be employed with manydifferent handset wiring configurations worldwide.

Other features will be understood with reference to the drawings. Whilevarious embodiments of the method and apparatus have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagramsmight depict an example of an architectural or other configuration forthe disclosed method and apparatus, which is done to aid inunderstanding the features and functionality that might be included inthe method and apparatus. The disclosed method and apparatus is notrestricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations,but the desired features might be implemented using a variety ofalternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will beapparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logicalor physical partitioning and configurations might be implemented toimplement the desired features of the disclosed method and apparatus.Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than thosedepicted herein might be applied to the various partitions.Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions andmethod claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shallnot mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform therecited functionality in the same order unless the context dictatesotherwise.

Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of variousexemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood thatthe various features, aspects and functionality described in one or moreof the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability tothe particular embodiment with which they are described, but insteadmight be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more ofthe other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether ornot such embodiments are described and whether or not such features arepresented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadthand scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of theabove-described embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or“an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” or thelike, and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,”“standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construedas limiting the item described to a given time period or to an itemavailable as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompassconventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that mightbe available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, wherethis document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known toone of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass thoseapparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in thefuture.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “atleast,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instancesshall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or requiredin instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use ofthe term “module” does not imply that the components or functionalitydescribed or claimed as part of the module are all configured in acommon package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of amodule, whether control logic or other components, might be combined ina single package or separately maintained and might further bedistributed across multiple locations.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described interms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations.As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art afterreading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their variousalternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustratedexamples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying descriptionshould not be construed as mandating a particular architecture orconfiguration.

The claims as originally filed are incorporated by reference as if fullyset forth herein.

I claim:
 1. A telephone handset comprising: a handle that defines (a) achannel with a vent to the ambient atmosphere and (b) a telephonecomponent housing; at least an anechoic chamber disposed at a first endof the handle that is in fluid communication with the channel, saidanechoic chamber featuring a mouth opening for engaging a mouth of auser, an active noise canceling means and a microphone for receivingsounds; an ear chamber disposed at a second end of the handle with anear opening for engaging the ear of a user; a speaker, disposed withinthe component housing and configured to communicate sound into the earchamber; means for receiving and transmitting a telephonic communicationdisposed within the telephone component housing, said meanselectronically coupled to said speaker and said microphone.
 2. Thehandset of claim 1 wherein the housing features lights defined by alighting tube.
 3. The handset of claim 2 further comprising a contouredexterior surface.
 4. The handset of claim 3 wherein the contouredexterior surface is defined by tessellated polygons with angular offset.5. The handset of claim 4 wherein the tessellated polygons are hexagons.6. The handset of claim 1 wherein the handle is configured so that theear chamber engages the ear of a user while the mouth openingsimultaneously engages the mouth of a user in a substantiallysound-tight manner.
 7. The handset of claim 6 wherein the handle ispositioned along the jaw to of a user at a metocervical angle in a rangeof fifteen and twenty five degrees.
 8. The handset of claim 7 whereinthe handle is positioned along the jaw of a user at a metocervical angleof about nineteen degrees for female users and about twenty threedegrees for male users.
 9. The handset of claim 1 wherein a circuitboard is disposed within the handle, wherein the circuit board isfurther defined by a female jack, wherein the female jack receives alever operated quick disconnect male jack from the telephone handsetwire, a mechanical switch defined by a physical switch, whereby thephysical switch moves when a registered jack phone cord is inserted intothe registered jack, and a mechanical physical analog to digital sensingswitch.
 10. The handset of claim 9, wherein the circuit board:determines voltage levels used for a speaker and the bias voltage in amicrophone; gathers the information from a sensor; determines whichsignal is present in at least one wire; and activates a switch to createa route for audio and voltage signals, whereby the handset may beemployed with different land line wiring configurations.
 11. A method ofprivately communicating comprising the steps of: obtaining a telephonehandset comprising— a handle that defines a channel with a vent to theambient atmosphere, an anechoic chamber disposed at a first end of thehandle that is in fluid communication with the channel, said anechoicchamber featuring a mouth opening for engaging a mouth of a user and anactive noise canceling means, an ear chamber disposed at a second end ofthe handle with an ear opening for engaging the ear of a user;simultaneously engaging the mouth opening and ear opening with a mouthand ear respectively; and, communicating via the mouth so that air iscaptured via the anechoic chamber and passed through the channel. 12.The method of claim 11 wherein the handle is positioned along a jaw at ametocervical angle in a range of fifteen and twenty five degrees afterthe step of simultaneously engaging the mouth opening and ear openingwith a mouth and ear respectively.
 13. The method of claim 12 whereinthe metocervical angle is about nineteen degrees for female users. 14.The method of claim 13 wherein the metrocervical angle is about twentythree degrees for male users.